Answered Question - Disney Parks Moms Panel

We are planning on spending a week at Disney World in September with our 6year old and 3 year old. I was planning on bringing an umbrella stroller for the 3 year old. Do you think that the 6 year old will need one as well?

- Asked by Jodi from Kansas on 2/14/2010

Hi Jodi:

While every family is different, I'm definitely a "better safe than sorry" type of guy, so I recommend bringing an umbrella stroller for both children. I have two young boys, neither of whom uses a stroller around our local town, however, we find that having two umbrella strollers with us at Disney World is very helpful.

There is a lot of walking at Disney World and even adults often tire after a full day of activity in the parks. There is a likelihood that your six-year-old will need to take advantage of the stroller at some point during the day. The weather in Florida can still be very hot and humid in September and you may find that your energetic six-year old, who never needs a stroller at home, may become more tired than expected in the Florida heat and excitement of the theme parks.

Umbrella strollers are light-weight, highly-transportable, and fold-up easily on Disney buses. Another bonus is that strollers make great package transports. For example, you'll likely pick up goodies in the parks along the way, and we find that a stroller, when not in use by our children, becomes a handy transport for items we get tired of carrying, such as gifts and the diaper bag for our little one. Another tip to remember is that strollers may be more useful in some parks than in others. For example, due to park lay-out, I find my family does more walking at Epcot and Animal Kingdom than we do at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. So even though the stroller may not be necessary for your six-year-old one day, it may be an entirely different story spending the next day at a different park.

Remember to attach a ribbon to the strollers' handles to help the strollers be easily identifiable when leaving them to enjoy a ride or attraction. Occasionally, Cast Members will move strollers a bit to keep walkways clear or the stroller zones tidy. The ribbons you tie on the handles will help you easily locate your strollers.

Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, Disneyland® Resort or Disney Vacation Club® vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online prior to posting.